Cinnamon Apple Bread Recipe

Fall comes alive in this decadent Cinnamon Apple Bread. Experience tender apples mingling with aromatic spices and brown sugar for a delightful burst of autumn flavor. Each bite reveals a subtle swirl of cinnamon and a lightly caramelized glaze that elevates this comforting loaf into a truly irresistible seasonal treasure.

I recently baked my Cinnamon Apple Bread and it quickly became one of my favorite fall treats. I used 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt to form a sturdy base for the bread.

I then added 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg to give it that warm, comforting flavor you expect from fall recipes. I mixed in 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar and 2 large eggs which really helped in achieving a soft, moist crumb.

The real magic occured when I folded in 2 cups of chopped apples and 1/2 cup apple cider into the batter. For the signature swirl, I combined 1/4 cup brown sugar with an extra 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon to create a sweet spiced ribbon perfectly running through the loaf.

Finally, I drizzled a glaze made with 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and a pinch of cinnamon over the top after baking. It’s fall in a loaf!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it totally reminds me of fall; the cinnamon and apples combo creates a warm, cozy flavor i just cant get enough of.
I like it because the caramelized cinnamon sugar topping gives it a nice crunch that makes every bite fun.
I like it because the glazed finish adds an extra layer of sweet flavor, making the bread super addictive.
I like it because it’s easy to make, and you can even mix in some walnuts if you’re feelin adventurous, which lets me put my own twist on it.

Ingredients

• This flour gives the bread structure and lots of carbs to energize you.
• Ground cinnamon adds warm spice and antioxidants making the loaf smell irresistible.
• Fresh apples provide fiber and vitamin C, naturally sweetening and moistening each slice.
• Apple cider adds a tangy moisture while enhancing the overall fruity flavor profile.
• Unsalted butter enriches the texture and taste, giving the bread a tender rich finish.
• Brown sugar creates a sweet caramel swirl that complements the spice perfectly.
• Chopped walnuts or pecans add protein, crunch and a rustic touch to the loaf.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup apple cider (or apple juice if you dont have cider)
• 2 cups apples, peeled and chopped (about 2 medium apples)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (for the cinnamon swirl)
• 1/2 teaspoon extra cinnamon (for the swirl)
• Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• For the glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and a pinch of cinnamon

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg.

3. In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then add in the 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and mix well.

4. Stir in 1/2 cup apple cider (or apple juice) into the butter-sugar mixture until smooth.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until combined. Avoid overmixing!

6. Fold in the 2 cups chopped apples (peeled) and if you want, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

7. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup brown sugar with 1/2 teaspoon extra cinnamon. This will be your cinnamon swirl.

8. Pour about half of the batter into the loaf pan. Drizzle half of the cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter, then gently pour the rest of the batter on top. Use a knife to lightly swirl the cinnamon mixture through the batter.

9. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Keep an eye on it so that the top gets a nice caramelized crisp.

10. While the bread cools in the pan, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and a pinch of cinnamon for the glaze. Once the bread is cool enough to handle, drizzle the glaze on top and enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven set to 350°F
2. A 9×5-inch loaf pan that you can grease
3. A medium mixing bowl for the dry ingredients
4. A large mixing bowl for the wet ingredients
5. A small bowl for mixing the cinnamon swirl and another small bowl for the glaze
6. A whisk or hand mixer to beat your butter and sugar until light and fluffy
7. Measuring cups and spoons to accurately measure your ingredients
8. A spatula for stirring and folding in the apples and nuts
9. A knife to swirl the cinnamon mixture through the batter
10. A cooling rack if you want the bread to cool evenly after it comes out of the pan

FAQ

Cinnamon Apple Bread Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• You can swap unsalted butter with salted butter, just reduce the amount of extra salt in the recipe.
• If you dont have apple cider, apple juice is a pretty good alternative.
• Instead of all-purpose flour, you could use cake flour for a lighter texture, but it might make the bread a bit softer.
• If ground nutmeg isn’t available, try a pinch of allspice as a replacement, it gives a similar warming flavor.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your butter is really soft but not melted since melted butter can mess up the texture of your bread a little bit.
2. Dont overmix the batter when you add the dry ingredients, mixing too long can make the bread tough and dense instead of light and fluffy.
3. Keep an eye on your baking time because ovens can run differently – its a good idea to check a few minutes before the recipe time ends so you dont overbake the top.
4. If you’re adding nuts, toss them in gently after the batter is combined so they evenly spread out and dont sink to the bottom.